Case for carrying phonograms and g rap ho grams



' (No Model.)

B. H. ST. JOHN. CASE FOR CARRYING PHONOGRAMS AND GRAPHOGRAMS, &c. No. 402,997. Patented May '7, 1889 WIYYVESSES 7 2 4 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

N. PETERS. vhuwrm -vm Wahingtan. n. c.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROSWELL H. ST. JOHN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

CASE FOR CARRYING PHONOGRAMS AND GRAPHOGRAMS, 84.0.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 402,997, dated May '7, 1889.

Application filed December 26, 1888. Serial No. 2%,656. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RoswELL H. ST. JOHN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cases for Carrying Phonograms, Graphograms, and the Like; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to cases for carrying phonograms, graphograms, and the like; and it consists in a case or holder for said articles, made of sheet metal or other firm material in such manner and form that the said case will withstand the severest usage incident to shipment by mail or express and absolutely protect the contained article from inj ury,while at the same time it is so light and compact as to be mailable at the lowest rate of newspaperpostage.

Hitherto in the practical adaptation of the graphophone and the phonograph to commercial and other kindred uses the promoters of these machines have been greatly embarrassed by their failure to devise or obtain a case or holder for the delicately-inscribed tubes herein referred to as phonograms and graphograms, upon which the messages, letters, conversations, or the like to be transmitted are recorded, and which have to be conveyed by mail or express. Indeed, various forms of holders or cases have from time to time been tried, but without such success as to call them practical for the purpose. So fruitless, indeed, have been all efforts in this direction heretofore that, confessedly by all engaged in this art, no suitable case which embodies the requisite strength with lightness has been made prior to my invention.

The invention therefore consists in a case or holder having the features of construction and the practical utility hereinbefore referred to, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of my improved case with the caps remoyed. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the case with the caps on, as when holding a tube.

In the different forms of the cylindrical case A and whatever modifications thereof the invent-ion may assume in the practical development of the art, the said case A will necessarily retain the circumferential ribs a. These ribs or beads may be separate from each other or they may run in a continuous spiral from end to end of the tube, or they may be varied even from both of these forms. The style of ribbing isnot so material, provided it serve the purpose of so strengthening the tube that it will not be affected by the jamming it may get in transit through the mails or by the express, and will so preserve the contained tube B, upon which the inscription is made, that said tube will be in perfect condition when it reaches its destination.

In making the cylinder A, I prefer common sheet-tin, which can be passed through a former to produce the ribs a, and afterward seamed or soldered along the meeting edges. The ribs a need not be nearer together relatively to size of cylinder than here shown,but may be made base to base, if preferred. As shown, the cylinder will withstand immense strain against its side from any direction without the slightest danger of injury, and it may safely be left to take its chances in a mail-pouch with the heaviest packages.

I mention sheet-tin as the preferred material for the cylinder, because it possesses the essential qualities of strength and lightness; but any other material that has these quali ties and can be wroughtwith the strengthening-ribs may be used and be within the scope of the invention.

Having once obtained a case possessing the merit hereinbefore set forth, the next essential thing is to provide means for so holding.

the phonogram or graphogram tube as to keep its delicately-traced surface free from injury. This can be done, as a matter of fact, with perfect certainty only by holding said tube where the inscription or record appears wholly apart from the inside of the carrying-case.

In Fig. 2 I show a longitudinal section of my improved cylinder or carrying-case, in which are employed two caps, E E, one at each end, having conical extensions 6 e, respectively, which enter the cylinder and form end supports for the phonogram or inscribed tube. Cap E is preferably fastened to the cylinder, and cap E is removable. Each cap at its innor extremity is smalle'rthan the interior of the tube B, and gradually enlarges in diameter, so that the said tube may ride upon its ends on said extensions e e and be centered and fastened thereby. Here the cylinder A is made sufficiently larger than tube B to keep out of contact interiorly with the tube, and the tube,being inserted and seated on the cap E, the cap E is placed in position and safely locked upon its cylinder. I11 this case I show a small roll of felt or rubber, g, at each end of the cylinder B in the caps E E, which protects and cushions the ends of the tube B.

I am aware that it is not new to make a corrugated or ribbed casing for packing bottles or like fragile articles for transportation, and such easing I do not claim, broadly, as my invention; but I am not aware that an article of manufacture like mine or serving the purpose of mine has ever before been known or used.

The art to which my invention relates is a new one in so far as its practical use is concerned, and myinvention is adapted specially and singly to the carrying of an open tube of the character herein described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A new article of manufacture for carrying phonograms and like articles, consistingof a circuinferentially-ribbed tube and a cap fitting closely upon each end of the tube and provided with an inwardly-extending conically-tapered portion, forming supports for the ends of a phonogram or like article, whereby said article is adapted to slide up over said conical portions and to be held out of contact with the sides of the tube and against longitudinal movement, substantially as set forth.

2. A new article of manufacture, consisting of a tube having caps at its ends provided with inwardly-proj ecting conical portions and elastic packing about the base of said conical portion s to protect the article conveyed against in jury by endwise mm ement, substantiall as set forth.

ROMVELL II. ST. JOHN.

lVitucsscs:

I. T. COREY, II. T. FIs -IER. 

